Ventricular tachycardia

In some cases, patients may be asymptomatic. The common symptoms are: 

• Palpitations 
• Chest pain 
• Shortness of breath 
• Weakness 
• Nausea  
• Sweating 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Cardiac arrest 

Visit a Cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment if you have any of these symptoms  

• Previous heart attack 
• Structural heart disease or a heart condition that causes scarring in the tissues of the heart 
• Low blood flow to the heart due to the narrowing of the heart’s blood vessels 
• Genetic condition 
• Electrolyte imbalance (ex: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium) 
• Medication side effects (ex: Digoxin) 
• Using illegal drugs (ex: Cocaine, Methamphetamine) 

• Electrocardiogram (a simple test to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart using skin-attached sensors to detect the electrical signals produced by the heart during each beat). This may be done at the doctor’s clinic, or he may ask you to use a portable one for monitoring throughout the day. 
• Echocardiogram (a type of ultrasound scan that is used to examine the heart valves and how it pumps blood to the body). 
• Stress test (a test in which a treadmill is used to walk on it while doing an ECG to examine the state of the heart during exercise or making effort). 
• Computed tomography (an imaging technique in which several images are taken to get a detailed picture of the heart). 
• Coronary angiography (a test that uses x-ray imaging to examine if there’s narrowing in the heart’s blood vessels). 
• Laboratory tests (a blood sample is used to measure the levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphate). 

If the case is due to an underlying cause (ex: Electrolyte imbalance, narrowing of the heart’s blood vessels, or medication toxicity), this cause should be treated first. 

Treatment options: 

• Medications: The Cardiologist may prescribe medications such as Sotalol, Amiodarone, Verapamil, Diltiazem, or others to slow the fast heart rate. 
• Catheter ablation: A procedure in which a catheter is used to remove the small parts in the heart tissues that cause extra electric signals and beats. 
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: A small device implanted under the skin to give an electric shock to return to the normal rhythm of heartbeats if the heart rhythm was disturbed. 
• Cardioversion: A procedure in which patches on the chest are used to give the heart an electric shock to restore normal heartbeat rhythm.